Sebastian Sawe of Kenya crosses the finish line during the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
LONDON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Sabastian Sawe clocked a winning time of one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds in the 2026 London Marathon on Sunday, becoming the first man to run a marathon in under two hours.
The 31-year-old broke the previous world record of 2:00:35 held by the late Kelvin Kiptum, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Runner-up Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia also shattered the two-hour barrier in 1:59:41, while Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo took bronze in 2:00:28.
Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia broke her own women's only world record in 2:15:41, beating the record of 2:15:50 she set last year in London.
Kenyans Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei finished second and third, respectively. ■
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya crosses the finish line during the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya poses with the record screen after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya crosses the finish line during the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya poses with the record screen after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe (C) of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Second placed Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, winner Kenya's Sabastian Sawe, and third placed Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo (L to R) pose after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe (R) of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe (L) of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after the men's elite race at the London Marathon in London, Britain, April 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
